HARRY HUGHES, Governor

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effect January 1, 1985 and, except as otherwise specifically
provided above, shall remain in effect until the effective date
of any legislation enacted by the General Assembly with respect
to the allocation of the Maryland State Ceiling. However, if
such legislation authorizes the Governor to establish a formula
and procedures for the allocation of the Maryland State Ceiling,
then this Proclamation shall remain in effect, if this
Proclamation complies with the requirements of such legislation,
until the Governor rescinds or cancels this Proclamation.

EXECUTIVE ORDER OF JANUARY 17, 1985

01.01.1985.02

GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY

WHEREAS, The Chesapeake Bay is our most precious natural resource
as it is the largest and most productive estuary in the
United States; and

WHEREAS, The bounty and beauty of the Chesapeake Bay are integral
to Maryland's history, economy, culture and way of life; and

WHEREAS, The recently completed seven-year, $27 million U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Chesapeake Bay Study of the
health of the Bay has confirmed that certain pollutants,
nutrients and toxics, are adversely threatening the vitality
of the Chesapeake Bay and its living resources, such as
sensitive finfish and shellfish species; and

WHEREAS, Evidence revealed through the Bay Study suggests that
the evolution of the Bay ecosystem is at a critical point,
productivity has peaked, and is now declining; and

WHEREAS, The State of Maryland has worked in concert with the
States of Virginia, Pennsylvania and the District of
Columbia and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
in a regional partnership to implement an action plan of
corrective strategies to reverse the trends identified by
EPA; and

WHEREAS, Within Maryland the Departments of Natural Resources,
Health and Mental Hygiene, Agriculture and State Planning
worked together to develop far reaching budgetary,
programmatic and legislative initiatives addressing
pollution control, resource restoration and enhancement,
land management, and institutional improvement issues, which
ultimately became known as "Maryland's Chesapeake Bay
Program"; and

WHEREAS, In 1984 the Maryland General Assembly enacted the first